CHIAPAS, MEXICO / RankWire.AI / – A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit off Mexico’s southern Pacific coastline on Friday, causing strong tremors that were felt across Chiapas and neighboring nations. The U.S. Geological Survey pinpointed the epicenter approximately 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdán, at a depth of 15.2 kilometers. The quake struck at 8:48 a.m. local time, or 14:48 UTC. Authorities reported two injuries but no fatalities or significant structural damage.
Emergency response teams launched inspections across southern Mexico shortly after the tremors subsided. In Tapachula, a woman leapt roughly four meters from an apartment building amid the quake. She sustained fractures and was hospitalized. Officials confirmed her condition was not life-threatening. Another individual suffered minor injuries from shattered glass inside a commercial establishment. Civil protection agencies checked homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and public facilities for cracks, debris, or other indications of damage.
The tremors were felt throughout southern Mexico, as well as in Guatemala and El Salvador. Even Mexico City experienced shaking, despite being hundreds of kilometers from the epicenter. Workers evacuated offices and other structures in Guatemala City as the seismic activity intensified. Mexico City’s seismic alert system did not activate because early energy readings remained below the activation threshold. Regional authorities set up emergency assessment routes and called on residents to report any damaged buildings, blocked roads, or unsafe utility lines.
Tsunami warning concludes after coastal evaluations
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning indicating that waves between 0.3 and one meter might impact parts of Mexico and Guatemala. Mexican naval officials recommended staying away from beaches for six hours. Coastal teams observed communities near Puerto Madero and Suchiate during the ongoing warning. Instruments at Puerto Madero registered a sea-level rise of approximately 0.3 meters. The center later lifted the tsunami threat after analyzing data from the impacted coastline.
The main quake was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and was followed by multiple significant aftershocks. Early data recorded at least 10 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 4.9 to 6. Guatemala activated its national emergency protocols and conducted inspections in western departments near the Mexican border. Educational authorities suspended in-person classes in San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu. Road crews also responded to reports of minor landslides and fallen debris along routes in western Guatemala.
Official reports indicate minimal regional destruction
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that initial evaluations revealed no significant damage. Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Morales also reported no severe impacts from the earthquake. Officials in Oaxaca noted that residents experienced moderate shaking without major destruction. Local authorities continued inspecting bridges, hospitals, schools, and utility systems. Emergency officials urged the public to adhere to safety protocols during aftershocks and to avoid damaged structures until trained inspectors verified their stability.
The quake occurred near a highly active tectonic boundary where the Cocos Plate subducts beneath other plates. This region frequently experiences seismic activity along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast. By Saturday, authorities confirmed two injuries and no fatalities. No widespread structural damage was reported in Mexico, Guatemala, or El Salvador. Coastal monitoring showed no ongoing tsunami threat. Seismic agencies kept recording aftershocks and updating technical data as regional inspections continued.